Town of Edgecomb Minutes for Schmid Advisory Committee Meeting
February 19, 2003, 7:00 p.m., Town Hall

1. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Bob Leone, Chairman, at 7:05 p.m. Committee members present were Andy Abello, Jim Beam, Bob Leone, Dick Oulton, Deborah Sondergaard, and Bob Zak. Also present were Janet Blevins, Barry Hathorne and Betty Twarog. There was no public input.

2. Chairman’s Report - Bob Leone

A. Review of Minutes: With the correction of a typographical error, the minutes were accepted as presented.

B. Next Meeting: March 19, 2003

C. Advisory Committee Summary for Town Meeting: Bob Leone advised that he will write a one-page the summary of the committee’s achievements for Town Meeting.

3. Selectman’s Report - Bob Zak

A. Budget Status: Bob Zak reported that as of the end of January, $620 had been spent from this year’s budget. He also said the balance of the loan from the Wood End Fund was now $40,696. Erv Schneider, counsel for the Carfizzi case, has written to the court that there was an error in figuring out the costs, and the costs exceed the Small Claims Court limit. He has asked that the case be dismissed.

B. 2003-2004 Budget: Budget figures for the current year were reviewed and it was noted that no funds had been spent for paint/flagging, fill/cover open wells, fire road maintenance, gate installation, field mowing, consultant fees, or legal expenses. The proposed budget for 2003-2004 includes $650 for Administration, $600 for Field Mowing, $100 for printing map/brochure, and $400 for the biannual newsletter for a total of $1,750. Andy Abello said that there is a cost shared program available from the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program for mowing if mowing is delayed until September. Application will be made for these funds. It was the consensus that committee members and volunteers could take care of fire road maintenance and no funds were budgeted for that item. Bob Leone said that he was unsure whether legal expenses should come out of the preserve’s budget and nothing was budgeted for that item. Bob Zak will have up-to- date figures on this year’s budget and a final draft of the budget will be ready for the next meeting. Bob Leone may meet with the Budget Committee before the next Schmid Preserve Committee meeting to discuss the $1,750 budget.

4. Land Acquisition, Boundaries and Roads - David Tonry

A. Haselton Fund-raising Update: In David Tonry’s absence, Bob Leone reported that $33,000 had been received to date; this includes $11,000 from private donations, $5,000 from Maine Community Foundation, $5,000 from Fields Pond, $10,000 from the Davis Foundation, and $2,000 from the John Sage Foundation. He said he was waiting to hear from the Boston Foundation in April on the request for $10,000 and from MBNA on the request for $5,000. Amanda Russell will be applying for grants from several places; Shaw’s, Shop & Save, and the Chewonki Foundation were mentioned.

Bob Leone reported that Mark Desmules was optimistic about the RiverLink project, as it had made the first round of cuts and seemed to have been looked on favorably.

B. Trail Map Update: Copies of a map prepared by David Tonry were distributed and discussed. It was decided to remove from the map trails that go nowhere and those that cross property which is not part of the preserve, and to mark Mt. Hunger Road on both legs, one as Mt. Hunger Road East and the other as Mt. Hunger Road North. The map will be finalized in April in time for the parking lot dedication on May 10th.

5. Public Relations and Stewardship - Andy Abello and Deb Sondergaard

A. ATV Update: Deb reported that six of the eight signs prohibiting ATVs had been put up, and Bob Leone indicated locations.

B. Trapping: Bob Leone reported that there are no references to trapping in the Management Plan. The court judgment prohibits commercial harvesting but advocates protection and conservation of natural resources. He said that trapping is a commercial activity, unlike hunting which is recreational, and he thought trapping should be prohibited in the preserve. Andy Abello said that there was a small number of people who trap and they do have an organization. He said he had spoken to the warden who indicated that none of the trappers using the preserve was getting permission from the town. The warden said that the preserve was a great place not to trap beavers because they are a natural occurrence and don’t usually cause problems. Andy suggested inviting the warden to speak at the next meeting about trapping and also about control of the ATVs. He also suggested that the court or an attorney be consulted about trapping in the preserve.

During discussion, it was pointed out that traps are dangerous not only to pets but to animals other than those for which the traps are meant. There was a consensus that the warden should be invited to the next meeting.

6. Trails - Jim Beam and Dick Oulton

A. South End Planning: Bob Leone proposed that the trail on the Hanke property be moved to the preserve in order to connect with other trails on the preserve. He proposed that the committee work on the south end of the preserve in June as soon as work is finished on the north end.

7. Other Business

Barry Hathorne asked about a date for the apple tree pruning seminar which he had offered to lead. It was suggested that the pruning be done in October or November, by which time it would be possible to determine which trees were still bearing apples. This will be announced in the newsletter.

8. Public Comment - none

9. Adjournment - 8:45 p.m.